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Mayor Rob Ford is on the naughty list with the Toronto Santa Claus parade.

Parade co-chairman Ron Barbaro sent a letter to Ford’s office Wednesday informing him organizers don’t want him to march in the annual event on Sunday.

The Santa Claus snub came the same day council was debating a motion ordering Ford to apologize for misleading Toronto residents about smoking crack cocaine.

“Due to recent events in the mayor’s life, there was a decision made that he would not walk the parade, but would be a spectator watching the parade with his family,” Barbaro wrote to Ford’s chief of staff, Earl Provost. “However, last night the mayor announced that he has changed his mind and will now walk ahead of the parade. “We are appealing to the mayor, as a parent, to reconsider this decision. We are asking him to go back to the original decision.”

On Monday, parade officials said Ford wasn’t walking the route but his office later confirmed the mayor said he wanted to march and ordered staff to “order the candy canes.”

Barbaro’s letter went on to argue Ford’s appearance in the parade would be a distraction and “take away” from the day.

“Our request is simple, we know the mayor loves the parade, but for this year, let’s avoid this distraction and put the focus back on Santa and Mrs. Claus,” he wrote.

Ford’s office did not respond to a request for comment about the letter.

Santa Claus parade officials ask Mayor Ford not to march

Ho-ho-no.
Mayor Rob Ford is on the naughty list with the Toronto Santa Claus parade.
Parade co-chairman Ron Barbaro sent a letter to Ford’s office Wednesday informing him organizers don’t want him to march in the annual event on Sunday.
The Santa Claus snub came the same day council was debating a motion ordering Ford to apologize for misleading Toronto residents about smoking crack cocaine.